Maternal obesity induces changes in adipokine profiles and modifies offspring gut microbiota at one month of age

Background Human breast milk (HBM) delivers hormonal and immunological compounds, and shapes the early infant gut microbiota. Excess body fat alters adipokine concentrations in maternal blood serum (HBS), but its impact on HBM composition remains poorly understood. This study evaluated associations between maternal obesity, adipokine concentrations in HBM, HBS and the gut microbiota of breastfed infants at one month postpartum. Methods This study enrolled 46 Mexican mothers-infant dyads at first month of lactation that were grouped in mothers with normoweight (NW) and mothers with overweight or obesity (OW/OB) based on their pre-pregnancy BMI. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and medical history data were collected. Then, HBS and HBM samples were collected from each mother and stool samples were collected from their children. Adipokines were quantified by ELISA and gut microbiota was profiled by 16s rRNA sequencing. Results Results showed significant differences in adipokines levels between mothers with NW versus mothers with OW/OB in both samples (HBM and HBS): leptin (0.23±0.06 vs. 0.68±1.10 ng/mL and 4.64±2.11 vs. 8.81±3.07 ng/mL), IL-6 (29.82±32.50 vs. 9.33±3.41 pg/mL and 20.11±17.26 vs. 5.84±11.59 pg/mL), and TNF-α (22.43±16.04 vs. 10.63±5.84 pg/mL and 38.50±24.19 vs. 21.07±17.63 pg/mL). Adipokine levels correlated with infant anthropometric measures at birth and one month. In addtion, maternal BMI significantly affected infant gut microbiota diversity and composition. Infants breastfed by mothers with NW showed greater microbial diversity (Shannon p=0.013, Simpson p=0.012) and higher abundances of Klebsiella , Bacteroides , Clostridium , and Prevotella ; while those breastfed by mothers with OW/OB had higher abundances of Bifidobacteria , Bacillus , Streptococcus , and Staphylococcus . Finally, adipokine levels were significantly associated with multiple infant gut microbial genera. Conclusion These findings suggest that maternal obesity induces changes in adipokine profiles in HBM and HBS, and modifies infant growth and gut microbiota diversity. Further research is needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms and long-term health implications in the population.